The Gage
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24 S Michigan Ave
Chicago, IL 60603 b/t Madison St & Monroe St
The Loop - Get Directions
- Phone number (312) 372-4243
- Message the business
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Business website thegagechicago.com
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“I actually think that I will leave Chicago addicted to the Duck Poutine and Venison Burger.” in 140 reviews
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“I ordered fish and chips which I have not had in many years and it was amazing.” in 223 reviews
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“I strongly recommend the scotch egg, the beat salad, the lamb pot-roast, and the duck.” in 153 reviews
Recommended Reviews
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Start your review of The Gage.
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- Latef X.
- New York, NY
- 17 friends
- 288 reviews
8/3/2015
Came here on both trips I've made to Chicago -- great experiences both times. Ambiance is perfect to drop in late night or for day drinking. Service has been superb everytime I've come. Their servers are super knowledgeable about the food but also very attentive and on top of things.
Mom loved the mussels and their cocktails are perfectly balanced and fresh. Also tried their beer-battered pickles, really crispy and and the perfect balance of salty goodness -- really big portion for 2 though. I've never actually been here for a full meal but everything looks amazing. -
- Rhonda M.
- Bloomington, IL
- 0 friends
- 2 reviews
8/13/2015
WATCH YOUR BILL!
On my most recent trip to The Gage, I was alone for lunch and I sat at the bar.
I used a debit card to leave a $8.11 tip on a $40.89 bill. (I like to leave tips that bring my bill to an even dollar amount for easier record keeping). However, when my card was ultimately run, my tip was changed to $12.
I tried to convince myself that the error was mine, but I couldn't do it. I'd written down my tally while still seated at the bar at The Gage, and I know that my restaurant bills almost always end on an even dollar.
A few days later, I called The Gage and spoke to a manager. He pulled my ticket and told me that it did in fact appear that a "clerical error" had been made.
After questioning friends who run a restaurant about whether or not this would be an easy error to make, the consensus was that whomever ran my ticket had likely given themselves a bigger tip on purpose as $8.11 is nowhere close to $12. Had The Gage indicated at all that the wait staff would be reprimanded, I wouldn't be writing this review. However, I was not satisfied with management defending their staff and chalking this one up to a "clerical error."
Had I used a charge card as opposed to a debit card, I would have never noticed.
The food at The Gage is superb which is why they're still getting 2 stars after my last visit. -
8/12/2015
We came here for my mom's birthday one year and we were not disappointed. The reservations were easy to make or 5:30 p.m. on a weekday but the weekends are probably worse. We were seated right away, even missing a member of our party, which is always appreciated.
The menu is large and includes a lot of "American Classics" that are delicious. My one friend swears by the poutine and you can order it for pick up and it's still good. The cocktail menu is appealing, there's a full bar, and a decent beer list. Alcohol prices are a bit high but I guess that's to be expected in the Loop.
I don't often find myself in this part of town, but The Gage is a good stop for tasty food that is decently priced for this area. Gets busy during the summer and in evenings, so beware when planning your visit. -
- Matthew G.
- Noblesville, IN
- 3 friends
- 49 reviews
- Elite ’15
8/9/2015
Visiting Chicago from Indianapolis with my wife, this place was recommended to me from a coworker. We just stopped in to check it out, have a few drinks, and try some food.
Walking in through the rotating door, this place looks nice. We found a spot at the bar, and ordered a few drinks to get started. Knowing we had more places we wanted to see, we just ordered an appetizer to share. The pork poutine. Slow braised pork shoulder, pork broth, a mire poiux, fries and cheese curds. It was really good, next time we're in town we might try some entrées! -
7/28/2015
1 check-inListed in The Yelp 100 Challenge 2015I appreciate a thoughtful menu with generous and relevant details. If you have organic, grass-fed meats, THAT, dear restaurateur, is something that is well worth boasting about on your menu. Tell me about it! Don't make me raise an eyebrow at your servers in disbelief. Bottom line, I don't mind spending more on quality grass-fed, humanely raised meats and organic foods but I'm not convinced that this is the place to do so.
At The Gage, I didn't find much boasting over quality ingredients but I did find some savvy marketing on the menu. A roasted "Amish" chicken that has nothing to do with Amish or organic or even free-range farming? *eyebrow up* Thanks but no thanks. Grass-fed meats (according to our server although it was not written on the menu) from the butcher board? Sure...*eyebrow up* I'll take your word for it. I'm hungry and I have a train to catch.
Service was excellent. After asking so many questions about menu items, I had the nerve to ask our friendly server if it would take long. What a good sport. Our meals came out reasonably quickly and our server was both attentive and knowlegable. Easy 5 stars for service.
The food, however, wasn't as impressive as the service. There wasn't anything spectacular about the asparagus with poached egg. It's a rather large side and there is plenty to share between 2 people. It included a mix of green and white asparagus. The asparagus was well cooked, though maybe a tadpole (oops, foreshadowing), I mean a tad too much for my liking.
Now, about that egg...I love tails on puppy dogs and piglets but I don't love tails on poached eggs. And yet, there it was. A poached egg with a long tail. A big, fat tadpole on my asparagus. I'm thinking ungrateful thoughts about this damn polliwog and I'm suddenly reminded that I walked past a hungry man with a dying cat on the sidewalk. Am I selfish to want them to be the way my mother made poached eggs: always perfectly cooked in little round egg cups with compact whites and runny yolks? Never a runny white, especially not one with a stringy tail! Oh, Gage, why can't you treat that egg with the respect it deserves instead of cooking it into a baby frog costume? Why did you put a 2 star egg on my 3 star asparagus?
Anyway, the Colorado lamb chops were medium rare and deliciously seasoned. I was extremely grateful to see these perfectly cooked with a red center. Brah. Vo! They came with a Merguez sausage that was flavorful but dry and underwhelming. The mustard greens were perfectly cooked and well seasoned, and the garbanzo bean fritters were crisp and tasty. Overall, probably close to 4 stars.
My hubby's 8 oz bone-in prime filet steak was delicious although it wasn't the medium rare requested. It was more of a medium-well to well done. Well seasoned, but I really missed seeing that red center. I didn't even see pink. Also, this was a butcher board item. Again, although nothing on the menu indicated it, our server told us that this was grass-fed *eyebrow up*. At $38 for 8 oz, it should at least be perfectly cooked to order even if it ate cement for dinner.
The Caesar salad was generously sized and very tasty. I could have eaten this alone for my meal, especially after experiencing the polliwog. The anchovies were just as salty as an anchovy should be and the dressing was perfectly tangy. Delicious. High 4 stars.
Overall, probably close to 4 stars. There is plenty of room for improvement in the food, at least in several of the items we ordered. Service and ambiance however, were both easy 5 stars.-
Colorado lamb and merguez sausage with chickpea fritters, sautéed pea tendrils, blackberry and mustard green saladColorado lamb and merguez sausage with chickpea fritters, sautéed pea tendrils, blackberry and mustard green salad - See all photos from Jean K. for The Gage
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7/15/2015
1 check-inThe Gage is a really cool restaurant across the street from the Bean. The decor is very Chicago and reminds me of old Chicago movies. There was a fire place right next to our booth. It's lively and the place is packed during lunch. The waiters are all friendly and full of recommendations. The bar is gorgeous and looks like its made of Mahogany wood. Well, I think it was a reddish color but then again I'm color blind.
Anyway, I'm kind of on the fence about the Gage. The decor and ambiance of the restaurant is amazing and what I imagined Chicago to be from the old movies. However, the food wasn't very impressive as I would have hoped. We had the following:
1) Pountine Fries - The poutine fries was topped with cider braised pork shoulder, pork gravy and cheese curd. The cheese curd and pork gravy made the dish extremely rich in flavor on top of starch heavy fries. The pork gravy made it very creamy but didn't overdue it in saltiness department. It's total comfort food and it was definitely made to share. This dish was a starter, but after eating it I was finished. The food coma started to overwhelm my consciousness and I started to get drowsy.
2) Lobster Roll - Ok. Here's my thing with Lobster rolls. I know they're supposed to be served cold but I personally like my Lobster rolls to be warm. I like the lobster warm with freshly toasted brioche. It provides a better flavor and texture to the roll. Guess what? That's how the Gage serves it. The roll comes with fried onions, a buttery toasted brioche, a grilled lemon and a side of chips. The warm buttery toasted brioche blended very well with the warm lobster.
3) Venison Burger - The burger came with smoked gouda, fried jalapenos, woodland mushroom, pickled onions, a mustard Aioli spread, fries and ketchup. Yeah I know. I thought Chicagoans hated ketchup but I guess it's okay when it's eaten with a burger and fries. The burger was cooked to medium rare as I specified and a decent size burger. The venison didn't taste as fatty or juicy as a beef patty but the texture was similar to beef. The toppings did make the burger a little better but the burger wasn't too impressive.
Overall, the Gage has one major thing going for them, which is the decor and ambiance of the restaurant. They get 5 stars in that department. However, I didn't think the food was too impressive and ended up giving it 3 stars. The other major plus is that they're located in the middle of the loop and a great place to stop by for lunch between sight seeing.-
The restaurant seating in the back. @AmbitionsOfATravelerThe restaurant seating in the back. @AmbitionsOfATraveler
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8/9/2015
1 check-inCame here to with a local friend and not only did we were able to get a nice booth but we also had fabulous service. New plates for every dish and so effortless I almost didn't even notice. We got the salmon tar tar and the scallops to start. We got the mussels to share and we almost didn't finish them because there was so many. They were nice enough to split our lamp chops! I think this a nice restaurant if you're looking for something nice and fancy I definitely enjoyed it.
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The only way you can see all our food is this picture. Sorry we're not part of the menu ;)The only way you can see all our food is this picture. Sorry we're not part of the menu ;)
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- Pauline P.
- Los Angeles, CA
- 710 friends
- 475 reviews
- Elite ’15
7/5/2015
2 check-insListed in Chicago, ILGreat great space for dinner, drinks with friends, or both.
// LOCATION // Perfect location across the street from Millennium Park
// SERVICE // Excellent. The servers are prompt and sweet without being overly pushy. You can nurse your drink all night and no one will bother you.
// FOOD //
+ Fish and chips: They were so sweet to split our dish without even asking. The fish was crunchy without being overly oily
+ Old Fashioned: Perfectly proportioned and finished off with a nice large ice cube
+ Moscow Mule: Complete with copper cup!
+ Moscato wine: Fruity and sweet
* Avoid the junky food carts in the park, and skip over here instead for quality food and drinks -
6/27/2015 Updated review
1 check-inListed in Yelp 100 ChallengeI can now get over the trauma of one of my last visits when the kitchen ran out of lobster rolls when I had my heart set on it!
At this brunch outing, 4/6 of us ordered the lobster roll, as we were reminded to try the Gage's version after a recent Chicago lobster roll article we saw. At $23 for the entree, the size of the portion surpassed my expectations, but the execution on the roll fell short.
Rather than serve as the star of the dish, the lobster was hidden, both physically (hidden under a bed of onion strings) and by the chives, celery, and other mix-ins. Chips were the side to the lobster roll, and you get a heaping serving. I would have preferred more lobster... and present in meaty chunks at that vs. the shredded kind of form. Seems like the Gage really made out on the margin on this dish.It's been a while since I last stepped into the Gage. Perhaps it was the trauma of spending more on… It's been a while since I last stepped into the Gage. Perhaps it was the trauma of spending more on parking in the area than my actual lunch.6/22/2013 Previous review
On this Sunday brunch, there was a lobster roll offered as a special. I was devastated when I found out they ran out of it. I had not counted on making a second choice for my entree, but settled on the homemade corned beef hash.
What great instincts I have! The hash was meaty, fresh, and perfectly seasoned and balanced with the potatoes. Combined with buttered toast and a couple eggs, it was a fantastic savory brunch... which I chased with some of that fabulous berry french toast. The Gage knows how to represent french toast alright! Read moreWow. I wasn't expecting it to be so busy on a weekday! I guess it WAS the Friday before Memorial… Wow. I wasn't expecting it to be so busy on a weekday! I guess it WAS the Friday before Memorial Day weekend.5/22/2009 Previous review
Because of timing constraints, we sat at the bar for lunch rather than wait until our reservation could be filled. I went for the Gage burger, which comes dressed with camembert cheese, onion marmalade, and the usual lettuce, tomato, and pickle.
Talk about a hearty burger! The cheese was delicious, and I liked the onion marmalade, but there was a surprise. ... orange zest in the onion marmalade. While it was light and mildly refreshing, the burger could have done without it. Camembert and onion marmalade is zesty enough for me.
Even though there were only 2 people manning the long bar over the busy lunch hour, service was attentive. I wish the Gage served brunch every day, as Scotch eggs and stuffed french toast sounds good any day of the week. Read more-
the gage burger, with camembert and onion marmalade... so big it hid the mound of fries served with itthe gage burger, with camembert and onion marmalade... so big it hid the mound of fries served with it
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6/11/2015
Loved the watercress mushroom sandwich. Fancy and filling ~ the perfect duo.
The restaurant is perfect for semi-casual or fancy brunch and lunch. The presentation of the food is beautiful and simple. I am sure the dinner atmosphere and menu offers more fanciness and deliciousness as well.
The servers are excellent and so polite and helpful. Several waiters came to make sure our waters were always filled and the coffee warm.-
Fish and chips. Fish is caressed in newspaper. How chic!Fish and chips. Fish is caressed in newspaper. How chic!
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- Catherine C.
- New Orleans, LA
- 74 friends
- 99 reviews
- Elite ’15
6/16/2015
1 check-inFound this place on Yelp alone...I came in 10 minutes before the kitchen closed in the middle of the NBA championship game and still managed to get amazing service and fantastic food.
Service - 5 stars
Drinks - 5 stars
Mussels - 4.5 stars (it's a tomato based sauce)
Fries - 4 stars
Tat tar - 5 stars - but have your sever mix it
The vibe is great and the building is gorgeous, wonderful place to grab a full meal or a late night(ish) snack. -
- Pamela B.
- New Bern, NC
- 17 friends
- 38 reviews
7/30/2015
Flew into town this day, so I was very hungry. This was my first visit to The Gage and we had a great dining experience. Jennifer was our server. She was very good and efficient. She enhanced our time here.
Our order: Amaretto, Stieglitz Radler, House Poutine, Bison Tartare, and a regular burger. My dinner was the House Poutine. It was so good. Poutine is a Canadian dish. I ate some almost everyday while in Montreal. Poutine is potato french-fried with meat and gravy served over them. That is way lacking in detail & the dish deserves a better description. Sorry.
V and I think it was better than the Poutine we ate before. Large serving (more than I could eat). My Amaretto Sour was right on the money. I add just a slash of OJ when I make it at home. This was almost that good. V said the Bison Tartare was excellent. Hubby loved his Burger.
We would definitely eat here again.
My new discovery this trip was the Stiegl Radler. It is a low alcohol grapefruit beer! It was so refreshing and light! -
7/19/2015
Food overall 4
Service 2
House Poutine: 3. Greasy and salty like poutine is meant to be. It's definitely good for making you thirsty.
PBR pickles: 4. Smoked serrano aoli complemented the tart and crispy beer-battered pickles well. Meant to be shared amongst 4. Way too filling for even 2 to split.
Daily pasta: 3. Neither good nor bad.
Pekin duck: 4. Pan seared with spring onion rice cake, delicious. An fusiony twist with the pickled pineapple and red miso was surprisingly on point. It was generally well cooked but the meat could have been fresher. It was not choice duck.
Venison Burger: 4.5
Wow. I loved it. The smoked gouda and mushrooms on the venison made it the highlight.
Fish and Chips: 3
Fried light and crisp, good whitefish. But the "chips" were unoriginal and uninspiring. They were the lamest fries I've had in a while.
Service was terrible. No waiter eye-contact with me just because I'm younger? Is it too much to ask for equal eye-contact? I went with an elderly couple, why do you guys assume that I'm not the one paying? I was VERY generous with 15% on the PRE-discounted amount. -
5/13/2015 Updated review
1 check-inLocation: Across the spitting fountains
Excellent:
Pre-theater meal
Private party function space
Quick meal at the bar
Service and beers on Tap
Great first date place
Summary: Gastropub with a friendly vibe which is perfect for a first date or pre-theater crowd before a show by the loop.
Casual or dressy, this place had great food which was diverse and unexpectedly not your typical bar food joint. Great cheeses and savory savory dishes. It's a place you may come for happy hour, but transition into a nice dinner.
I was able to walk to the B of A theater a few blocks away in the loop.Location: Across the spitting fountains7/14/2014 Previous review
Excellent: Pre-theater meal
Private party function space
Quick… Location: Across the spitting fountains
Excellent: Pre-theater meal
Private party function space
Quick meal at the bar
Service and beers on Tap
Casual or dressy, this place had great food which was diverse and unexpectedly not your typical bar food joint. Great cheeses and savory savory dishes. It's a place you may come for happy hour, but transition into a nice dinner.
I was able to walk to the B of A theater a few blocks away in the loop. Read more-
Perfect pre-theater place. Great quick service at the bar.Perfect pre-theater place. Great quick service at the bar. -
Mussels vindaloo... Drop microphone. So good. So so good !!!!Mussels vindaloo... Drop microphone. So good. So so good !!!! - See all photos from Kara P. for The Gage
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6/29/2015
Yo, it started the right way with Common playin' as we sat, then Mos Def while usin' the men's room-- I even washed my mitts extra long just to see if another Rawkus alumni would grace the joint, but instead I got a Biggie remix.
That's what's up, and we let the manager know.
From there, though, it just sort of fizzled out quality-wise.
I really get bummed when my food beats my drinks to the table, and it don't help none that the second drink can't get ordered till after I've scarfed the meal. My girl was sweet, but just not on point. And it wasn't crowded.
Shrimp n' grits is what's up, however (please read the following in stuffy, erudite voice (think Thirston Howell III + Anton Ego from Ratatouille))--
Shrimp, or Farfantepenaeus brevirostris, have minor biological differences from their close, crustaceous cousins the prawn, aye-kay-aye Penaeus esculentus, namely the number of claws, gills, and body shape. While it is widely accepted that they're interchangeable whence cooking, a prawn's eyeball quite closely resembles a black bean, also found in Gage's concoction, and can too easily loosen itself when removing the prawn's head, leaving the diner wondering if that black speck in your teeth she-beaux, as she's affectionately known, points out is, in fact, the fibre-ous, anti-oxidant "meat" of a bean, or a tiny sea-monster's "peeper."
Aaaand, scene.
Basically, I was like, "Eww."
Pick up the pace at the bar, please, cuz your spot across from Millennial is slammin'. -
7/16/2015
A friend and I came here during a Chicago trip to escape the rain. We sat in the bar although we weren't dressed as fancy (and pretty wet) as others. Despite that we were treated great and the waitress was bright and super friendly. Drink menu is expansive and everything we had we enjoyed. One of the few places I've noticed in the midwest where you can get a Belgian sour beer.
The food menu was kind of short, and not many options not to mention pricey. My friend and I had just eaten a few hours before so we weren't terribly hungry so we asked if we could split the Fish and Chips. The waitress was very accommodating and did not seem put off in the slightest that we wanted to split. Good thing we split, the portion was HUGE and we each got 2-3 pieces of sizable fish and plenty fries with a normal portion of cold slaw. It was way more than we could eat but it was very delicious so we did end up eating it all. Great value for $17, they didn't charge extra for sharing either.
Overall I would rate the restaurant a 4.5. If it had a bigger and more appealing overall food menu (somethings just seemed a bit to fancy for casual drinks and not enough other options) I would rate it a 5! -
7/16/2015
Listed in The 100 of 2015As always, I am never full on the third night of the conference when the organizer has this Mixer reception- too little food and too many attendees.
I did homework this time. I found this place on yelp that's only four blocks away from Hilton Chicago, where the reception is held, and decided to have a late night dinner after the reception.
I came here with a couple of friends. They were not hungry so they only got drinks. I ordered the pan-seared duck breast and a couple of beer. The limited Goose Island 312 urban radler was very interesting: the beer has a subtle cucumber flavor and a hint of lime and basil- very summery and light to drink. Loved it.
The duck breast was juicy and delicious- it was complimented nicely with the rice, bok choy, and pineapple. The duck linguisa was slightly smoky and easy to eat.
My friends tried my food and ordered fish&chips, but they were not happy about what they got. The fish was bland and the batter was too heavy, they said. -
7/6/2015
This is a great go to place for after work drinks and dinner. I like to sit in the corner of the side room where you are somewhat isolated from the noise in the bar and the rather load back rooms.
I've liked all the appetizers and main courses I've tried on several visits, and most dishes are very shareable, so you can try a variety. The wine list is extensive, and there are some great selections by the glass, including a terrific Madeira.
Service is professional and knowledgable. And of course there's a hug and boisterous bar if you're just looking for a drink. -
- Sari S.
- Duluth, GA
- 97 friends
- 23 reviews
6/26/2015
1 check-inThis restaurant is located right across Millennium Park. We made reservations ahead of time through Open Table to dine during lunch hours on a Thursday. I'm very happy that we did make reservations since it quickly filled up.
Elizabeth was our server. She was very friendly and helpful! She's worked at this location for four years, though primarily during dinner shifts. We were lucky enough to run into her during lunch. If you see her, give her a friendly hello!
We ordered house soda (Blueberry Lemon), according to my friend was a bit too acidic and lacking the CO2 that is more expected of a soda. I had a bottle of the Goose Island Root Beer, which I thought was quite tasty since it was 100% natural sugar.
For our meals, we ordered: The Gage Venison Burger and the Roasted Amish Chicken.
The Gage Venison Burger was delicious! It typically comes with French fries, but I'm not much of a fries and burger type of person. I typically find French Fries too heavy. Elizabeth kindly suggested greens paired with a vinaigrette dressing since I was not interested in French fries. Of course, it went very well with the Venison Burger.
Since Venison is a lean meat, the burger here was actually juicy due to the 30% beef fat that was made with the Venison. I easily ate this burger with a fork and knife since it was so juicy. Overall, very pleased with this burger!
The Roasted Amish Chicken was perfectly juicy in the center. My friend said that the areas of the chicken towards the edges were drier (typical though due to the preparation). However, the meal was still quite delicious!
Overall, if you are visiting the the city, be sure to check this place out! -
- Karolina T.
- Chicago, IL
- 48 friends
- 150 reviews
- Elite ’15
5/4/2015
2 check-insMy boyfriend and I have been wanting to try the Gage for a very long time and finally got a 7:15 reservation on a Friday night. First of all, the place is beautiful with glossy green subway tile and exposed brick. It was very busy and very loud, and although we arrived a little bit too early for our reservations, they were able to seat us within 10 minutes.
Appetizers- we got the fondue and scallops. We enjoyed both. The fondue was steaming hot and the coconut curry-like sauce for the scallops was very good.
Entree- I got the daily pasta, which happened to be a kale and ricotta filled tortellini in vodka. The pasta was super delicate and melt in your mouth but I did think the portion was a little too small. My boyfriend got the duck, which he claimed was the BEST thing he had ever tasted in his life, so I highly recommend both.
Desert- We were really torn between which desert we wanted, but went with the strawberry shortcake that our waiter recommended. The strawberry ice cream/ sherbet on top was fantastic- super tart and you could really taste the strawberries. I didn't really care too much for the cake part which I thought was crumbly and a bit dry.
Least to say, it was a wonderful dining experience with a beautiful environment and plating. The Gage will definitely be the place to go when we have people come in to Chicago out of town. -
8/4/2015
Some of the healthiest wine pours in the city!!! Order a glass of wine and it come served in a little carafe that actually is more like 2 glasses of wine about 8 oz and at 12-14 bucks a glass thats a great deal anywhere and definitely getting it in downtown Chicago.
Great atmosphere a loud bustling space full of energy with a big bar up front and tables on the side and rear it's a fun place to people watch and hang out. With friendly servers and good service you can get in and out quick or have a leisurely dinner and take your time.
We have eaten here a few times before and the food has always been good, but somethings are a little better then others. The shishito peppers are awesome, good for a group to nibble on and share they are only mildly spicy if you shy away from a little heat still give em a try they are super tasty. The house poutine is fantastic I will order this every time I go to The Gage the whole dish comes together like a yummy symphony of gooey crispy succulent flavors, probably the best poutine I have ever had. Fries with curry sauce are also a must try golden crispy fries served with a big bowl of brown curry sauce for dipping. The fried pickle chips where just ok pickles where to thin and I have had numerous better even here in the city. The burrata I would not order again the gazpacho has a odd smokey flavor and the burrata is not creamy and flavorful like burrata should be plus the cheese is served to cold which masks the flavor it did have. Lastly we had the fish and chips, the waiter had the kitchen split it for the two of us and it came out looking like 2 whole orders, great bang for the buck and equally great service. Each plate was served with 2 pieces of fish a healthy order of fries and all the dipping sauces and coleslaw. Some of the fish was served a little soggy not as crispy as good fried fish crust should be but the flavor was still good. I was a little disappointed in this dish as they fried everything else to perfection.
Add it all together and you got a great place with a great bar area for drinks plus pretty solid food. We went here before heading to Soldiers Field and actually stopped on the way back for a night cap also. A little bit of a walk but a good option before or after seeing something there. -
6/17/2015
1 check-inI came here for lunch on one weekend afternoon around 1:30pm and it was packed, so make sure to make reservations! However, their little outdoor patio which is really nice to sit and people watch on Michigan Avenue does not take reservations. We really wanted to sit here so we had to wait an extra 20 minutes or so for a table which is fine with me. The inside has that nice, dark bistro feel to it so I definitely prefer sitting outside especially when Chicago decides to cooperate with us.
Upon sitting down, our server approached us right away and offered us some of their huge beer selection which was nice. They also do provide bread and butter if you ask, it's more of a healthy multi-grain kind if that's your type. We decided to get the Vindaloo mussels for an appetizer and it took like 10 minutes or so to get those out but once they were brought out, they were scorching hot so i knew that they were just freshly out of the pot. They were delicious, definitely get these. There is definitely enough to share and for $18 I totally think they are worth it, full of spicy flavor with some indian spices to give them that extra flare, definitely one of the best in the city I would have to say. Next stop is this much talked about venison burger which is known as one of Chicago's best burgers. I must say I thought I would be disappointed because of all the hype, but I was pleasantly surprised. For $17 get the venison over their regular burger. The meat was perfection and not too chewy or dry, had tons of flavor that it almost didn't need all their extra ingredients but I can't say I didn't enjoy the caramelized onions, the gouda cheese, jalapeños on a warm brioche bun. We shared this as well and we chose their house made chips over the fries because I am most definitely a chip girl.
Here's where we didn't go 100%. I hated the dessert. They have these new profitores (sp?) which are filled with cream and carmel and served with some chocolate ice cream. They were dry for me even though the presentation was spot on. For a $12 dessert, I was just hoping for more. I know they used to have tons of chocolate fudge desserts on the menu and I'm really sad that they took those away. So yes, bring back the fudge Gage!
Overall, it's a great place to grab a quick lunch in the area, definitely a nice bistro, but I would work on the desserts and have at least one focus on the chocolate for all those chocolate specific lovers like me. -
- Elizabeth K.
- Burbank, CA
- 33 friends
- 15 reviews
7/31/2015
1 check-inI'm moving to Chicago. Done. That's it. I'm moving into this restaurant and never leaving. I could never eat another thing in my life.
Scallops and Elk. Perfect. I almost dropped some on the floor and would have eaten it anyway. Well, maybe not.. but really, I can't decisively say. Towards the end I found myself taking smaller and smaller bites just to continue keeping the flavour in my mouth.
Oh. My. Goodness.
Service: friendly, cute, and prompt.
Decor: fun and romantic yet not too much so you can still go with friends and not just a date.
Price: worth it.
But let's get back to that food. GET IN MY MOUTH. Wow. Most sensual food experience I've ever had. Thank you. So much. I'm coming back just for this place.
And please, dress nicely. The food demands your respect. -
- Haley C.
- Chicago, IL
- 0 friends
- 15 reviews
7/20/2015
We came to The Gage on a beautiful Sunday morning for brunch. We sat outside and the weather was great. The service was a little slow, but our waitress was very friendly.
I had a mimosa and the Bellini for drinks. The mimosa was good but the Bellini was great! My mom had a Bloody Mary which initially didn't come with the garnish, but they came by with it later.
We started with the Irish scones, scotch egg, and the PBR fried pickles. All were great, but that had to have been the best scotch egg I've ever had! The scones were pretty incredible too.
My mom and I shared the smoked salmon (aka bagels and lox). That is my favorite breakfast meal and it did not disappoint here. My boyfriend for the burger which he loved, and my dad enjoyed the homemade corned beef hash!
Overall, brunch was excellent and I would love to go back to try dinner at The Gage! -
6/22/2015
Aww I am a huge fan of their Duck Poutine, I was told it is the best in Chicago and I believe it certainly! It is even better than in some places in Montreal!!
I just went there to try the Poutine as friends strongly recommended it to me, and I wasn't disappointed. It goes very well with some of their Revolution pale ale. Also, we had a plate of cheese for dessert, which was fine.
We went there on a Thursday evening around 8:30, without any reservation, and managed to sit down at the last available table for 2! Unfortunately, we couldn't get on the patio.
Service was excellent - always important to emphasize.
The atmosphere of the restaurant is nice as well. Definitely a great place to go, ideally located in from of the AIC. -
6/20/2015
1 check-inReally charming place with creative dishes! The hype train is quite real with this one, as The Gage delivers (not literally) for all but the stingiest of critics.
The menu is separated into "Firsts", "Seconds", and "Thirds". Do yourself a favor and read through each of these sections carefully, as there are unique gems dispersed among these sections. The Scotch Egg was a surprising hit for us (it's huge!), as was the Salmon Tartare (a must if you're a salmon fan).
The flavor of the fish and chips was nice, but nothing revolutionary. However, the portions are quite large, the fries are crispy, and the fish is presented a newspaper cone! Definitely worth the $17 price tag!
The real showstopper in my eyes though is the Roasted Amish Chicken. I had no idea roast chicken could be so juicy and flavorful. If I'm ever back in town and I find myself here, this will definitely be my entree of choice.
Had a great experience at The Gage! Service is fantastic, no matter what attire you wear (suits and t-shirts are equally common here). If you're in the area - and you out-of-towners especially have a good reason to be in the area - give it a try! -
- Richard C.
- Oklahoma City, OK
- 39 friends
- 55 reviews
- Elite ’15
3/30/2015
1 check-inIt was a rainy evening in Chicago..., no it really is. The food is very good, the mgmt is pretentious and the atmosphere is as well.
The food is good/ Caesar salad was very good- fish and chips were average- the peanut butter cake was really nice/ but you can do better in this town.
I ate here because it was highly recommended on yelp, but I tend to disagree.
Some much better offerings in the Gold Coast area- so do your homework and find something worth your time and money.
And if they're full, you can sit at the bar and not worry about booking a reservation through open table. I shudder to think if I had tried to use an opentable voucher how well that might have gone.
One last comment, the closeness of the tables is a bit uncomfortable- so if you like eavesdropping on others conversations, then this is your kinda place.
Bon APETIT -
- Nicholas T.
- Chicago, IL
- 41 friends
- 99 reviews
- Elite ’15
6/13/2015
1 check-inAlways a classic spot on Michigan, especially if you're going to the Theatre, Museum, or a CAF event. Reservations are highly recommended and you can book on Open Table. The food menu is pretty extensive, and the cocktails are creative and tasty. We opted for the burrata and oysters to start. The buratta was great, but the oysters were a bit small. For the main, we shared the bone in ribeye, which was cooked perfectly. To accompany it, we ordered the asparagus and potatoes, with the former being my favorite of the two since it had a perfectly poached egg on top. Overall, food and drinks were great, but make sure you make a reservation!
PS: The hand lotion in the mens room smells fantastic. Random, but damn, it did smell good..... -
6/9/2015
Delicious new American food, great environment and need make appointment because of popularity, the food is decent, and price is a little bit higher, but still attract a lot of people coming.
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- Christina D.
- Garden Grove, CA
- 114 friends
- 22 reviews
7/19/2015
1 check-inThe boyfriend and I made a pit stop here because it started to rain after we saw "the bean". We were seated quickly and knew exactly what we were ordering thanks to recommendations from our local friend. We ordered the P.E.I. Mussels (vindaloo and toast) and the House Poutine Fries (cider braised pork shoulder, pork gravy, and cheese curds). Both were delicious although I would have preferred the vindaloo to be a little bit thicker because it was more on the watery side (since there was toast to dip it in). This was the first time I ever had Poutine fries and didn't know what to expect. Luckily, I fell in love! I finished most of the Poutine fries leaving very little to share. From the moment we walked in to the moment we left, we were surrounded by friendly staff. I would love to come back to try more of the menu!
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- Tiffany D.
- San Francisco, CA
- 1764 friends
- 1260 reviews
- Elite ’15
2/11/2015
1 check-inListed in Bar Scenes, Chi-ca-gooooo!Changing menus! That's what makes this gastropub a must go every time you return here! Beer selections with gourmet bar food that is seasonal. What a great way to change it up, otherwise, it will get a bit boring coming here.
You must get their Poutine! Their Poutine was delightfully delicious! It was with cider braised pork shoulder, chopped pickled red onion, with chunks of Wisconsin cheese curds, jalepenos and poured over roasted pork gravy! YUM!
Per the bartender's recommendation, do get their Daisy Cutter Pale Ale. It complimented well with the Poutine!
The ambiance is chill and it will be swell to have company to dine with here so you can try more of their other gastropub entrees.
I was enGAGEed indeed! -
- Kamran N.
- New York, NY
- 14 friends
- 19 reviews
7/28/2015
1 check-inI had amazing time here! We were looking for lunch during a long break at Chicago. I saw reviews of this restaurant and noticing that it is probably expensive but wanted a treat. So went there and checked the menus which wasn't that pricey. There was some wait time so we sat at the bar. The barman was amazing: we wanted to share a burger and have some extra sides. When food arrived we got two half burgers in separate plates with all the sides. What a service. Fast, thoughtful and food was amazing. Highly recommended
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7/19/2015
Solid. That's the word to describe The Gage. There's nothing fantastic. There's nothing wrong. Everything is just solid. But, honestly, that's how a place in the loop should be. This is my go to place for work lunches. They understand how to make you feel welcomed, while getting you on your way, without feeling rushed. Good beer selection and an even better whiskey selection. for being on Michigan Avenue, the prices are really fair. Don't get tricked into visiting Seven Lions. While they are similar, in concept, The Gage is heads and shoulders better.
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7/15/2015
1 check-inThis is a great spot along Michigan Ave to grab a nice dinner. We tried the shishito peppers, stone fruit and naan, scallops and grits, halibut, and Amish chicken. They were all great. The dishes pair some interesting flavors together and all were executed beautifully. The service was prompt and friendly as well. The Gage also has a large bar area, and I'll bet it's a good place for happy hour. Would definitely come back if I'm in the Chicago area.
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- Laura K.
- Kihei, HI
- 9 friends
- 47 reviews
7/7/2015
Having just woken up from a 3day extravaganza known as the Grateful Dead @ soldier field I needed a really good meal. The concierge sent me straight to The Gage.
Amazing service was met with outstanding food. I had the buffalo chicken sandwich, a bit messy for my state of mind, great flavor and soft bread. I paired this with the sautéed mustard greens which really hit it out of the park for me.
Solid sustenance on a shaky day.
Thanks Gage. I'll be back. -
- Jiyoun B.
- Chicago, IL
- 9 friends
- 111 reviews
8/3/2015
One of the best fish and chips I've had, and that's including the ones I had in London. My hubby ordered their version of steak and eggs and it was delish. Although it probably wasn't the best choice considering that we had our baby with us, I would totally go back there.
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- Alberto M.
- Fairfax, Cleveland, OH
- 1 friend
- 9 reviews
7/24/2015
The Gage has a great menu with much to offer. It's a gastropub in the best sense of the term. The food is quite nice. Great selections of wines, beers, and mixed drinks. Well located. The only comment is that at least on a Friday night was packed so definitely need to make a reservation-- unless you are comfortable sitting at the bar. Also not a place to come for a quiet conversation. Great place. I highly recommend it. I had the pasta of the day which was very fresh and flavorful. My only comment was that the fettuccine was a bit overcooked and not al dente.
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- Pamela J.
- Chicago, IL
- 8 friends
- 1 review
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- Rebecca S.
- Baltimore, MD
- 111 friends
- 172 reviews
- Elite ’15
6/20/2015
1 check-inVery good food, but very touristy. I think they cook their meat well and their burgers are the bomb. The service is very friendly, and it's conveniently located next to Millenium Park. I like the atmosphere of the restaurant, as pretentious as that sounds, because it is both casual, but more formal than the typical burger joint. However, I will say that the restaurant is too expensive for the food you get. I want to try their cocktails in the future!
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4/27/2015
1 check-inSunday night, party of 2, 8p
ok so we ate our faces off. even the waitress was startled at how much we ordered and how much we ate.
Excellent service - our server was fantastic.
Great selection of draft beers and fancy cocktails
*Mussels vindaloo: delicious. enough flavor to season the mussels but not drown them either. the broth was so good, we drank it like a soup. hope this is not a faux pas.
*Bison tartar: incredible. all raw-meat-diseases be damned. this was awesome. no raw egg. fantastic meld of flavors.
*Baked brie: small pot of baked cheesy goodness that seemed bottomless. we just kept eating it and there kept being cheese in that pot.
*Rack of elk $45: neither of us have ever had elk before, so when we saw it, we thought, eh, why not? my friend loved it and i was so-so about it. we ordered it with the chimichurri sauce. i thought it tasted gamey but still edible. it was cooked perfectly. i may not be an elk fan.
*Curry fries: giant ass bowl of fries with a delicious red curry that you dip the fries in. good but not my fave.
*Green beans: delicious. great lemon-orange citrusy essence to them. cooked well!
*Chocolate toffee cream puffs: not my fave dessert. the pastry of the cream puffs seemed thick, but the toffee inside was delicious. chocolate gelato was meh.
great atmosphere. it's right on michigan avenue across the street from millennium park. plenty of seating at tables, booths and the bar. definitely will be back to try their other menu items.
Hours
| Mon | 11:00 am - 12:00 am | |
|---|---|---|
| Tue | 11:00 am - 2:00 am | |
| Wed | 11:00 am - 2:00 am | |
| Thu | 11:00 am - 2:00 am | Open now |
| Fri | 11:00 am - 2:00 am | |
| Sat | 10:00 am - 3:00 am | |
| Sun | 10:00 am - 12:00 am |
Menu
- Today's Fish and Chips
- $19.00
- Today's Fish & Chips
- $19.00
- Scotch Egg
- $8.00
More business info
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- Takes Reservations
- Yes
- Delivery
- No
- Take-out
- Yes
- Accepts Credit Cards
- Yes
- Good For
- Dinner
- Parking
- Valet, Garage, Street
- Bike Parking
- Yes
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Yes
- Good for Kids
- No
- Good for Groups
- Yes
- Attire
- Casual
- Ambience
- Classy
- Noise Level
- Average
- Alcohol
- Full Bar
- Outdoor Seating
- Yes
- Wi-Fi
- Free
- Has TV
- Yes
- Waiter Service
- Yes
- Caters
- No
From the business
Rustic yet refined cuisine. Outstanding libations program. Steps from Millennium Park and Chicago's cultural jewels. The Gage satisfies every craving--ideal for business dinners, …
Learn more about The Gage , Opens a popupSpecialties
Rustic yet refined cuisine. Outstanding libations program. Steps from Millennium Park and Chicago's cultural jewels. The Gage satisfies every craving--ideal for business dinners, pre-symphony cocktails, weekend brunch or private events. Iconic Michigan Avenue restaurant.
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447 reviews
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